Eco Fashion Friday Featured Designer Alexandra Ferguson

Today’s Eco Fashion Friday feature is all about the fashions for the home. Alexandra Ferguson, a talented member of the EcoEtsy team, stitches up some seriously graphic, fun message pillows from her Westchester County, New York shop. But the coolest thing of all? The felt is made from water bottles!

With 268 sales since she opened shop in January of 2009, and a 100% positive seller rating, Alexandra Ferguson is a true home fashion contender! With so many funky designs and an array of colorways, there is sure to be a design or two to please even the most discerning of Interior Design fashionistas. Don’t worry, they are not all as blunt as the featured photo, I just happen to love that one!

Starting at $45 the pillows go up to around $120 and range in size from 12” x 12” up to 22” and some rectangular shapes in between. Although the price may seem out of reach for some, a really fun, well placed and punchy accessory such as this will add just the right flair to a room and definitely makes a better gift than a sweater!

Custom orders are accepted, as is PayPal and all major credit cards. Each pillow is created with the custom Alexandra Ferguson tag, the recycled water bottle felt, and has a zipper closure which makes for ease of cleaning either the cover or the pillow insert (poly fill).

Because this shop is so committed to making something longer lasting out of a once-disposable resource such as a plastic water bottle, and does it with such attention to detail and flair, I am granting Alexandra Ferguson a Three Leaf Rating!

Your creativity and talent shine through your love for the planet Alexandra Ferguson! ♥love♥

When Recycling Options Are Unclear

**please note this is an extremely lengthy post with oodles of information and links; feel free to bookmark to re-read later**

At our most recent Bennetts Brook Green Group meeting, Melissa (our very own MelissaBBGG!) commented on Styrofoam and our local area’s ability or inability to recycle it, despite it being stamped with a big 6. Apparently this type of “plastic” is seemingly non-recyclable in most markets and we all began to wonder ‘then why is it stamped with a recycling symbol?’

First I will share what Melissa wrote in our monthly newsletter and then more on the research that I did upon reading about this confusing issue.

“The lowdown on EPS: A mini-rant

OK, you call it Styrofoam+, and so do I, but what I'm really talking about here is EPS, or expanded polystyrene -- the foamy stuff various companies use to pack products for shipping and send your takeout food home in. The short version of what I have to say is, you should not include it with your recyclables anymore, if you have been up to now.

All this past summer, our neighborhood recycling runs to the drop-off included plastics 3 through 7, which the drop-off's web page said was what they took. That, as far as I could see, included 6 -- which, among other items, includes EPS…the drop-off's site didn't specifically exclude it...so we thought we were doing the right thing. And let me be clear here: I'm still thrilled about all the other 3-7 stuff that didn't go to a landfill!

At some point, someone made a comment about how no one really takes 6 EPS, so I started to feel some doubt about the recycling drop-off project. This fortunately happened about the time [our] transfer station began to collect 3-7 plastics. But then I wondered if [ours would] take the EPS.

To get some answers, I got in touch with Laurie Sabol from the Recycling Committee. She says she would recommend not including 6 EPS in recycling. The main reason: there's not much of a market for products made with reclaimed EPS, so most recycling companies don't take it. And if you just go ahead and throw it in, recycling companies have to spend a lot of time picking through their piles to remove it, which I'm guessing will lead to higher fees for users down the road, among other possibilities.

[Another BBGG member] reports after his latest run to the transfer station that the employee he spoke with there says EPS is "not considered a plastic," and it's not recycled there, although the town says it's recycling plastics 1-7 (there are other products marked 6 that, apparently, many recyclers accept). [He] suggested that the 6 marking on the bottom of many EPS pieces might be confusing people, and the employee agreed that perhaps some additional signs might help to clarify what should and should not go into the bin.

Personally, I am frustrated with a capital RRRRR. If EPS can't practically be recycled, I feel that manufacturers' practice of marking it recyclable just adds to consumers' confusion. I know it actually can be recycled theoretically, but that's cold comfort when it's piling up in my house.

I've been on a mission to find ways to reuse the restaurant curbside pickup containers I accumulated over the summer but the real message here, for me, anyway, is that it's time to work harder on reducing use of EPS, at least until recycling it becomes more of a practical reality. I'm aiming to start by writing to places that use EPS and leaning on them to switch to a better choice for containers. And I'll definitely be trying to cook at home more often.

If you're wondering what alternatives you have for the stuff you're stuck with right now, Laurie Sabol has a few suggestions. She notes that packing peanuts, as well as bubble wrap and air bags, are appreciated by UPS stores and antique stores.

Also, the following businesses [Massachusetts only] will take some forms of 6 EPS. Contact one for specifics on what they do and don't allow, and how to get it to them:
• Conigliaro Industries, Inc. 508-872-9668 in Framingham
• FP International 508-832-5369 in Auburn
• Insulation Technology, Inc. 508-697-6926 in Bridgewater
• Foam Concepts, 508-278-7255 in Uxbridge
• Polyfoam Corporation 508-234-6323 in Northbridge
• Storopack, Inc. 508-366-1249 in WestboroughFor another option, you can send EPS to a mail-back location.

For more information, visit http://www.epspackaging.org/info.html”

WHEW! I was floored that there was such little information provided to consumers and that most people would see the little 6 and think they were doing right by placing the EPS in a bin. Sadly when the recycling joint picks it out I am quite sure it gets thrown in the trash.

While doing research on where or how to recycle or reuse this EPS, I came across the following website:

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers

They indicated they have drop off locations as well as a mail back option. I was so excited until further reading indicated they do not take food containers, they essentially only take the stuff used to pack up items for shipping (what is around a computer when you open the box for example).

At least it was a start.

They also offer the Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214 which indicates locations around a five digit zip code who accept packing peanuts for drop off. There were three in my area which was encouraging. Since I have so many products being shipped to me these days, this is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.

The Peanut Hotline refers to the American Plastics Council (1-800-243-5790) at the end of their message as a good resource for more information and they are correct. Their site shares a plethora of plastics information.

I still had not discovered anything I could do with those old food containers though and the bottom line is pretty much every website I went to for information said the same thing: there is low scrap value so most places will not recycle it and due to food “contamination” it can not be sent back.

So what are some things we can do to reuse or at least further extend the lifecycle of this material?

1. If you know you are not the type to finish a meal in the restaurant and tend to bring it home, bring your own reusable container with you when you go out. The server does not have to take it back to put it in a container and these days they tend to bring the container right out to the consumer to do anyway so why not cut out the “middle man”?

2. Thoroughly wash and store old clam-shell polystyrene for this very purpose.

3. Use them for dry storage. Those small ones are great in the bathroom for things like cotton balls or other small, under the sink type items.

4. Make something out of it. Arts and crafts can be a great fall back option -- holiday decorations, numbers for the outside of your house, sculpture art, fabric covered push-pin boards -- the opportunities are only as limitless as the imagination!

In addition, I strongly urge everyone to start writing letters, making phone calls, writing emails, etc to any location that continues to use the polystyrene containers for food take out and request they stop doing so in order for this issue to no longer be an issue. Also, check in with your local recycling centers to see if this type of product is taken.

What have you done with your old EPS?

+ Styrofoam is a trademark of Dow Chemical Company

New Vocabulary Words with Sturdy EconoGreen Trash Bags

I am always on the lookout for ways to supplement the everyday items I can not seem to get away from, like petroleum based trash bags, with a more environmentally responsible option. EconoGreen Trash Bags deliver on function, environmental benefit and learning as they are tough enough to do the job and also taught me all about a new Green vocabulary word -- oxodegradable.

The box states “Built Tough” and they truly mean it. Sometimes flexible plastics created from 100% recycled material can become flimsy, but these bags passed my fingernail test and more! I held the black bag up to the light through my kitchen window and it looked no different than that of my normal black trash bags.

Jig-A-Loo, the parent company to EconoGreen, has figured out the ultimate secret when it comes to plastics and their decomposition. They claim that through a process called oxodegration the plastic will completely break down in about 2 years, and based on the box I believe it; inside the top is stamped a packing date.

They place a “unique agent” in the mix which causes the plastic to break down into smaller and smaller pieces once exposed to oxygen until it finally becomes a nutrient for microbes. All that is left behind is CO2, water and reusable biomass, no toxic residues.

The box of bags was shipped to me using very minimal packaging and the box which holds the bags is not only recyclable but it is created from 100% recycled materials and printed using veggie based inks. And the cost is reasonable for the type of bags; the large trash bags have an MSRP of about $6.00 which is well within normal range for 20 large trash bags.

My main concern is the unique agent additive. Nowhere could I find a description of exactly what the additive is. Similarly, there is no real information available on how it breaks down or what type of nutrient it becomes. I feel that these are vital facts to share as this is a completely new way of looking at Green plastics.

With all these things in mind I am granting a Three Leaf Rating to EconoGreen!

By enhancing your transparency on certain information about the ways your product breaks down, your leaf rating will skyrocket right up to a five due to the function and unique concept you have going Jig-A-Loo! ♥love♥

Miwa Koizumi Creates Aquatic Life from Plastic Bottles

By now many of us are fully aware that there is a place in the Pacific Ocean called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Gyre. This area, about 1,000 miles off the coastline of California is a swirling mass of non-biodegradable plastic debris that outnumbers marine life by a 1000:1 ratio in some areas. Because much of this plastic has traveled to this area from land (wind carried bags, bottles washed out to sea, etc) it is more important than ever to ensure we find the most functional uses for our PET plastics and artist Miwa Koizumi has done just that in stunning form with her PET Project.

Her plastic marine animals and creatures are created primarily from items she has harvested from the trash and include all manner of plastics from colored soda bottles to five gallon water cooler bottles. She creates everything from dramatic jellyfish with seemingly weightless tails to the urchin and anemone type life forms that reside on the ocean floor.

The artist lives and works in New York and her art takes shape by all manner of cutting or soldering tools to create something truly unique and special.

In addition to her actual sculpture Miwa is also working on a photography project which captures the beauty and grace of her designs through use of black backgrounds, white backgrounds and directional lighting. She truly took the ‘trash to treasure’ adage to new heights with this project!

These works of art are just the tip of her creative talents however! Other projects include her plastic bag kites, a plaster and LCD installation art display, sound installations and performance arts.

An Eco Friendly Pillow from EcoTex (?)

My title for this blog was created prior to my researching for this article and now I am slightly mystified so let me share the current situation and hopefully someone can shed some light.

Yesterday Matt and I went to one of the big box stores to pick up a few items for our new home as we desired to spend a little less money but acquire everything we needed in one location. (This is our tradeoff, less gas driving around to many stores but not shopping at local places). One of the items on our list -- pillows. Ours are so old I barely remember purchasing them and so it was time to change.

Perusing the aisles and squishing a whole bunch wrapped in plastic can be a mind boggling experience as there are so many to choose from. I saw standard, queen & king sized, medium or firm squishiness and prices all over the map depending if the item in question was a brand name, memory foam, hybrid (foam / poly fill), feather fill or store brand. We settled on a couple standard sized, standard squish ones in a low to mid price range. The felt like the right choice for us and we pushed the cart on.

Rounding the corner of the next aisle however opened up another row of pillows. My eyes immediately went right to this pillow


Reading the package I learned this pillow is filled with fiber made from recycled water bottles, the plastic packaging will begin to biodegrade in about three months and that the cotton cover is bleached using 100% hydrogen peroxide. Best of all the price was exactly the same as the others we had selected so we put the originals back and purchased the EcoTex pillow instead, feeling great bout our choice.

Until today.

I always like to link back to the company website (especially when doing a Leaf Rating Review) so since there was none listed on the package, I Googled EcoTex. The top selection was this website:
http://www.ecotex.com/
Upon reading through it definitely is not the correct location so I went back to Google and began searching for anything to get the right website. When nothing produced the desired results, I grabbed the pillow and read through the tag hoping for something.

The parent company that makes the pillow I have is named Springs Global so I looked them up. Not only could I not find an actual website for these folks but I must have visited over twenty websites and found nothing related to a pillow named EcoTex other than this Natures Sleep pillow which is not only completely different looking but is not even close to the same description.

As a total last resort I went to the big box store’s website and searched for this product in every possible manner but to no avail. Is this package from the alleged company EcoTex is nothing more than a clever way to get people to purchase the product or does the company really exist and creates recycled water bottle fill and biodegradable bags? I suddenly became very aware of the fact that it is quite possible I was duped by some form of greenwashing. This does not please me as I am a careful consumer who enjoys reporting back on as much great stuff as possible for all of you readers who enjoy learning. In this case the learning was in the doing.

I would love nothing more than to be completely incorrect and have to print a retraction to my allegations of greenwashing by a company that does not exist so please if you belong to this company, recognize the photo of my pillow package or simply know the website I could not locate in all my searching please let me know immediately!

Unfortunately I will be unable to grant the Leaf Rating I wanted to grant as I am unsure as to the validity of the claims made by this product.

Today’s motto? Essentially, live and learn:

Study, learn and purchase armed with as much knowledge as possible but be aware that sometimes even then the final result might still be undesirable.

Eco Fashion Friday Featured Designer Revenge Is

Last week I featured the Revenge Is tee as part of the Eco Fashion Friday series and while researching the company I was so utterly impressed that I knew they deserved their own review and feature!


Right away the tag line “Making activism fashionable” greets you as you enter their website. They could not be more right on. Utilizing organic cotton in their tees is just the beginning. How about recycling 3-5 plastic bottles and after melting them down turning it into a fiber that creates clothing. Not a joke, these folks are using upwards of 65% RPET (recycled plastic) in their shirts. A market tote they sell is 100% RPET, now that is eco-fashion! They create tees for men, women and kids to spread the word about environmentally responsible practices.

One might think the cost for such innovative design would be through the roof but overall their price is right in line with other graphic tee designers as they hover in the $30 range. Not bad for keeping a whole bunch of plastic out of landfills. The shirts are screen printed using soy based inks and the children’s tees also contain no PVC, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Heavy Metal, or APEO to ensure the health of kids.

Then there is the shipping method they use -- all tees are shipped in Tyvek bags to reduce weight, potential of damage and conserve space on the delivery trucks. Oh yeah and they encourage reuse of the bags by turning them inside out but if you don’t want to they allow for returns of the bag so they can properly recycle it either at Tyvek’s facility in Virginia or at Revenge Is offices in Los Angeles, California.

The way I see it, Revenge Is…a Five Leaf Rating! Top honors for such a top notch company doing all they can to make a difference in this eco fight.

Keep on keeping on and get your Revenge! ♥love♥

Replacing Wood and Plastic in the Building Trades

I have been posting a few odd rubberized items on Eco Fashion Fridays recently, such as belts made from recycling the inner tube of a bicycle tire, but could car tires actually be turned into something we use to construct homes out of? This is just one of the newest products in a family of wood-replacement innovation in the building trades which have sprung up in recent years. Especially for concerns of deforestation, as well as preservation of waterways and reducing the use of petroleum products, new concepts for replacing wood or plastic are being welcomed with open arms in construction.

Most of us have some form of wood outside our homes such as a deck, railing, stair treads, etc., and the recommended wood to use for such a project is built to last by undergoing a process known as pressure treating. This process ensures the wood will hold up longer against weather and is resistant to insects. There is only one problem, the process involves treating wood with inorganic arsenic, a known poison. Not only can this be harmful to skin and should not be ingested but the chemical can potentially run off and corrode surrounding soil which in turn might soon end up in waterways compromising the safety of the liquid and potentially harming marine and wildlife. Yikes!

So what are some of the options?

One product which has been on the market for a while is called Trex. This substance is created by fusing reclaimed sawdust and plastic (grocery store bags) into a solid plank that looks similar to wood but will never warp, splinter, need to be sanded, painted or stained and is inherently resistant to insects and sun damage. The product is extremely dense and will hold up just about forever. I can personally speak for this product as I used it for my old home’s deck and it was a dream to clean (broom sweep), easy to shovel (no splintering) and never needed anything for maintenance.

Re-Tread Products (RTP) is going even further and using reclaimed car and truck tires to construct their “lumber” which they call Tire Logs. These logs are made from strips of tread that are claimed after removing the sidewalls from a standard tire. They are woven together and rolled to create a flattened looking log. Although the company is years away from the ability to utilize such a product in construction of a home there are already thoughts as to how it could best be used in earthquake prone areas, as levees for flood prevention, decking, and even as a sound dampening device along major highways.

One of my very favorite items available that not only takes the place of wood or plastic but some quarried stone, is paper. I came across a company in my travels called KlipTech who not only provides commonly recognized paper countertops for a kitchen or bath but also paper based exterior siding, decking for skateboard ramps and a plethora of products that take on the appearance of wood. The siding is a product called EcoClad and it is a composite material made from 100% post consumer recycled paper and bamboo fiber which creates a dense and durable material suitable for all environments.

As innovation continues rise in the realm of reuse, more and more companies like these will take on the challenges of creating functional and stable products that take advantage of turning something formerly loved into something new that is safe and efficient to satisfy our basic needs. I think major kudos should be bestowed upon companies such as these for their ingenuity and dedication to furthering the lifecycle of items already on the planet.

The New Trend -- Turning Plastic Bags into Plarn

Knitting and crocheting have long fascinated me as I enjoy seeing the finished pieces but never had the level of patience required to sit down and learn the skill. My Mom, Photographer by day, is a knitting fiend by night and she has made everything from baby bibs to Afghans to extremely intricate and involved clothing pieces. For years she has been trying to get me to learn the fine art of working yarn over needles but it is just not me -- so instead I will write about it!

This growing trend to use old plastic bags as yarn is amazing. The name associated with this substance has been dubbed plarn in the crafting community. Just like wool is eventually turned into yarn on a spinning wheel, the grocery store bags must first be turned into skeins of yarn fit for the needles.

The following photos depict sellers on Etsy who are using plarn in all forms from skein to finished product (it is not just about purses anymore!). Please check out their shops to see even more amazing, fun items!

Copabananas is among a growing number of artists who create and wrap skeins of plarn. The color selections available are amazing!


Check out Misty Amber Art to see details on this awesome plarn hat created from more than twenty five bags.

I can barely contain my excitement to share La Bolsa Chica, from dog collars to garden items this is how to use plarn!

There are fun bags made from plarn like this one from The Plastic Baggery. It has beaded accents and is fabric lined for added durability.

Dava Eva Designs gets down on the floor with this rug that blends plarn and yarn for a fantastic outdoor welcome mat solution.

All of these artists display innovation at its finest and a true love for the planet. The combined items above have saved countless bags from the landfill. Way to go!

Natures Source Toilet Bowl Cleaner

In a recent trip out to acquire some cleaning supplies I came across a product called Nature’s Source toilet bowl cleaner. Upon inspection of the label, the ingredients are listed as natural and since I was in the market for this very product (and not yet brave enough to test mixing for the vinegar method) I decided to pick it up. Overall I must say I am fairly satisfied with this product and would likely purchase it again.

The cost was somewhere around $2.50 for 24 oz size. As compared to some of the chemical based products that run upwards of $4.00 for the same volume, I found the price to be fantastic. The nozzle was easy open for grownups but would not be as easy for kids as it is a squeeze and turn style. Due to this type of top however, the bottle leaked some after use so it had to be sponge cleaned prior to putting it away which was a bummer as that was unnecessary waste. It is not the thickest formula but it did adhere to the sides relatively well and did not sink to the bottom of the bowl immediately.

The packaging noted that the cleaner is “plant based” so I reviewed the website to discover it is born from coconut and palm kernel oils.** Also used is: purified water, lactic acid and xanthan gum (fermented glucose). It is unclear if the lactic acid is derived from a milk base or other sources such as cornstarch, potato or molasses (rendering the product vegan). The one disappointing ingredient is the addition of synthetic dyes & fragrance although the bottle says there are only “small amounts”.

The fragrance does give the cleaner a fruity, pleasant smell which was more enjoyable than some. I would say this cleaned equally as well as any chemical based cleaner I have used in the past and I only left it on for about the same amount of time as usual (about fifteen minutes). The bottle itself is made from 25% post-consumer plastic, is recyclable and the S.C. Johnson Greenlist promise symbol is displayed proudly.

With all of that said I have decided to grant Nature’s Source toilet bowl cleaner a Three Leaf Rating!

Taking out those synthetic substances, listing the source of the lactic acid and improving on the cap design so there is no leakage would be some improvements I could suggest to garner the coveted Five Leaf Rating but it is nice to see such a solid effort being made already, keep up the trend S.C. Johnson!

**I know there has been talk as to the validity of the environmental benefits of coconut oil and although I do not dispute that it is a compelling argument, I personally feel happier using something that is plant based and biodegradable rather than man made with chemicals. In the event of leeching I feel safer with plant based oil. This is a personal decision and I welcome comments as to your own thoughts and feelings on the subject!

Fused Plastic and Salvaged Fabric Laptop Bag

As a gal who enjoys whipping out the sewing machine and also someone who ends up with way too many plastic bags (regardless of using our reusable ones most of the time) I am very happy to have come across this video tutorial. This looks fairly simple, not too many steps, and will be a very personalized item. So cool!

Fun and Funky Jewelry from Artwork by KD

Recently I chatted a bit with Kathy DellaValle, fellow Team Eco Etsy member and owner of Artwork by KD located in Susquehanna, PA, because her super funky jewelry really caught my eye as a fun and fresh approach to a hip retro style. Her use of bold colors and large shapes seem to scream hey check me out! Oh and did I mention all the materials used in her fashions are completely recycled or upcycled? She was willing to share a little bit of what encouraged her to pursue a career with an eye on both the planet and funky fashion.


How long have you been creating jewelry from recycled/upcycled materials?

A little over 1 year.

Where do you acquire the materials that go into your pieces?

I collect on a daily basis in my house (some kind of container is always being emptied) and I also receive lots of donations from friends and family!

What inspires you to create a piece?

I am inspired by colors big time!! They are usually my first inspiration. I love creating color combos that just make you stop in your tracks. Or a really rich color all on its own! Colors make me happy! Shape/texture come next.

Do you wear your own jewelry? What kind of reactions do you get from people on the street?

I wear my jewelry all the time! I had a post mistress that would order just about every pair of earrings I wore to the post office! It's great to get compliments from people in public. It makes me morph from artist to business woman; I then flash a business card and a smile ;-)

When did you become interested in protecting the environment?

Ever since I could walk! I always wanted to reuse things; it made me feel like I was hurting it's feelings to throw something away. Here's an embarrassing fact: When I was a little girl, after using a paper napkin I would keep it in my hand and call it my little napkin dog (I also did that with small brown paper bags too!). You can imagine the sadness when little paper dog went in the trash!

Are there other ways you are Green?

I recycle everything I can. Even tiny pieces left over from making things are sent to the recycle bin. I'm also a big conserver of water and electricity (I don't let the water run, I turn off lights when I'm not in a room, etc.). I enjoy picking wild apples and berries when they're around and making things from scratch. I park in a central location and walk to where I have to go and I also plan errands on the same day to avoid driving to town every single day.

What is one thing you do everyday that is considered Green?

Making wearable art from disposable objects and containers!

Do you have a tip for artists that are new to their industry?

Live by the 3 P's:
Passion - Love what you make/do so much that even if you don't make a dime for 3 months you still can't wait to wake up in the morning to get to work again.

Patience - Typically a successful business does not happen over night, maybe not even in a year! But you get what you put into things, so be patient and know success does not come fast or easy.

Lastly, Persistence. You need to have a daily plan and be aggressive every single day. Persistence in promotion, and in art making. Constantly try and make your work better, and think how you can reach more people. Sell at lots of shows. Don't give up! Everyday is a new chance.

Where can we find your items?

Web:
Artwork by KD Etsy Shop
Artwork by KD Artfire Shop

Brick and Mortar Locations:
Greenbeing in Scranton, PA
Earth and Wears in Dallas, PA
Pure Pennsylvania in Great Bend, PA
L'aveggio Roasteria in Binghamton, NY
Sea Hag Soaps and Art Mercantile in Brackney, PA

To keep up with the happenings of Kathy and her latest creations or show appearances you can also stop by her Artwork by KD blog which she updates frequently. She is running featured artist spots as well (I will be one of them in a few days too, thanks Kathy!).

Lots of Fun New Finds!

It’s a lazy Sunday morning around our house. Matt is sleeping in and I am doing some research for this week’s upcoming Green Leaf Reviewer posts. We are awaiting the snow which should be falling within the next handful of hours and are looking forward to making a tasty brunch later. We have a Sunday that is completely free from plans outside of our apartment and it feels great! Once Matt gets up however, there is a lot to get done around here.

The first thing we are going to do today is take the trash out in our GoodSense recycled trash bags. When I discovered these (at Walmart believe it or not!) the other night I was excited to give them a try. So far I am really impressed! They are sold in a box of 20, thirteen gallon bags and although I can not fill them with lots of sharp or pointy things, for a 60% recycled plastic content bag they are really sturdy to handle everyday trash. They have a drawstring and when comparing price they were actually $.04 cheaper per 40 count box.

After that we have got to throw in some laundry. We have been using Arm & Hammer Essentials and Downy Free fabric softener, as both products left out the petroleum based chemicals, but I discovered some recipes for a few natural based solutions over at Better n Before this morning and plan on giving them a try once we are out of what we currently have. (PLEASE NOTE: I have heard that Borax can be harmful to pets so be mindful to research the ingredients for yourself to determine the recipe’s individual worthiness!)

Perhaps as we watch the snow fall I will take some pictures of the entertainment center that has finally entered our home so Matt will have some visual inspiration to write Part III of the construction journey. Of course it has been a while so he will likely want to review Part I and Part II in order to ensure the story flows.

Maybe after all that is said and done I will pop over to Ideal Bite and finally sign up to receive the daily ‘living green tip’ newsletter in email. It is too bad we already went grocery shopping because today’s suggested Mardi Gras jambalaya experience sounds pretty tasty!

To wrap up my day today I am going to take some time to carefully review the 266 projects that Massachusetts deems “shovel-ready” or rather projects that could receive grant money now that the stimulus bill has gone through. I may even decide to rate a few projects as worthy or not worth the money. Everyone can join in! Just head on over to the Stimulus Watch website and sort as you see fit (by your state, keywords, by project) then click away to rate and review. I have a feeling this one might get a little bit more than end of the day attention as it is chock full of useful information and loads of projects I had never even heard were proposed in my state.

For a Sunday with no real plans it sure looks like we will be busy around here!